【鋼琴版】 珂拉琪 Collage/ TALACOWA

歌名 Song：TALACOWA
主唱 Vocal：夏子 Natsuko
作曲 Composer：夏子 Natsuko
作詞 Lyricist：夏子 Natsuko
插圖 Art: 夏子 Natsuko
樂隊 Band: 珂拉琪 Collage
鋼琴 Piano: Roland digital piano FP-30 (2020); serial number: E0L9292
參考影片 Reference Video:

• 珂拉琪 Collage／MALIYANG

阿美族語「talacowa」：要去哪裡。歌詞中表現第二次世界大戰時，台灣阿美族原住民與日軍的立場不同，透過穿插對話編織著歷史背景和內心獨白，再加上如詩一般濃縮的歌詞，營造出富含生命力的故事。不單單是原住民和殖民者的衝突，更隱含人們的命運受到其他強權擺弄的無奈與悲哀。

這首「TALACOWA」與之前「MALIYANG」一樣，探討了原住民在外來政權統治下尋找身份認同的艱難之處，特別突顯了原住民要為外來政權打仗的不滿。倘若是以前的花木蘭，為代替年老的父親從軍，抵禦匈奴的燒殺擄掠甚至屠城，很直接地為了保護家人去捍衛家園尚且有足夠動機。有太多戰爭，往往只是為了滿足極少數統治者和既得利益團體的私慾、名譽或經濟利益，對於少數民族和原住民來說更難以理解，充滿了諷刺和痛苦。

天馬行空假設想像 (和史實不同），假如我是生活在被日本殖民統治中的台灣原住民，被迫渡海參與大東亞共榮圈的侵華戰爭，或二戰剛結束，卻被接收台灣的國民政府調去打國共內戰；或是韓戰期間青藏高原的遊牧民族，被共產黨調往鴨綠江前線送死；又或者是三國時期，被諸葛孔明所征服南蠻部落的一員，被迫加入北伐曹魏的行列；美國的印地安人，被白人們抓去打他們的南北戰爭；非洲的原始部落，為了軍閥間的爭鬥從小就得拿起AK-47⋯⋯我真的願意參與這些不屬於我的戰事嗎？儘管內心百般抗拒，卻難敵統治階層的強迫威脅，為此犧牲生命，實在是無能為力的悲哀。

更貼近自身，我是臺灣人，屬於義務役也已經當過兵。誰能預料到某一天，會不會由於當權者和特定利益團體的私心決策，或因為外部勢力的蓄意挑撥操弄，使臺灣夾在強權之間，成為角逐利益下的棄子，不得不在自己的故土上，經歷一場只會加劇苦難和仇恨的戰爭？台灣人有能為自己而戰的自由嗎？台灣的前途真能由台灣人民自己決定嗎？

有得回家，誰不想呢？捨棄旭日，放下槍枝，一路向東吧！諷刺的是，還沒回到家，另一顆太陽又冉冉升起。

中華民國壹佰壹拾貳年癸卯秋分 高熵狂人 記於美國麻省理工學院 太平雪梨齋

In the Amis language, "talacowa" means "Where are you going?" The lyrics of this song depict the differing perspectives of the Taiwan Amis indigenous people and the Japanese military during World War II. Through interspersed dialogues, the song weaves historical context and inner monologues, combined with condensed, poetic lyrics, to create a vibrant and life-filled story. It not only portrays the conflict between indigenous people and colonizers but also conveys the helplessness and sorrow of people whose destinies are manipulated by other powerful forces.

Much like "MALIYANG" before it, this song "TALACOWA" delves into the challenges faced by indigenous people in seeking their identity under the rule of foreign powers. It particularly highlights the discontent of the indigenous people forced to fight for the foreign regime. While in the past, figures like Mulan may have been motivated to protect their families and homelands by joining battles against invaders, in many contemporary conflicts, wars are often waged to satisfy the desires, reputation, or economic interests of a privileged few, making it especially difficult for indigenous and minority populations to comprehend. This situation is fraught with irony and anguish.

Put yourself in this hypothetical scenario (bearing in mind that it is purely hypothetical and not based on historical facts): Imagine being an indigenous person living in Japanese-occupied Taiwan, compelled to cross the seas to participate in the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere's invasion of China. Or, consider a situation just after World War II when the Nationalist government took control of Taiwan and dispatched you to fight in the Chinese Civil War. Alternatively, think of being a nomadic tribe from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the Korean War, forcibly deployed to the Yalu River frontlines. Or, going further back in time to the Three Kingdoms era, picture yourself as a member of a southern tribe conquered by Zhuge Liang, reluctantly forced to join the campaign against Cao Wei. You might also envision Native Americans in the United States, captured by white settlers and thrust into the midst of the Civil War. Or, think about primitive tribes in Africa, who, from a young age, had to pick up AK-47s to engage in conflicts driven by warlords. Would you genuinely be willing to participate in these wars that have no inherent connection to your own life? Despite countless inner reservations, it is difficult to resist the coercive threats of those in power, and the grim reality of sacrificing lives becomes a heartbreaking and seemingly insurmountable tragedy.

Drawing closer to my personal experience, I am a Taiwanese, having fulfilled my mandatory military service. Who could have foreseen that one day, due to the self-serving decisions of those in power and specific interest groups, or perhaps because of deliberate manipulation by external forces, Taiwan might find itself caught between foreign powers, becoming a pawn in the pursuit of interests, forced to endure a war that would only intensify suffering and resentment on our own soil? Do the people of Taiwan have the freedom to fight for themselves? Can Taiwan's future truly be determined by its own people?

Being able to go home, who wouldn't want that? Abandoning the rising sun, putting down weapons, let's head east! Ironically, before reaching home, another sun is already rising.

09/2023 Hyperentropist @MIT Sidney-Pacific Graduate Residence, USA